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Comedy festival to fill clubs with laughter

September event taking place all over Whistler "It’s the most fun you can have in Whistler without snow!" So says David Malboeuf, executive producer of the first annual Whistler Comedy Festival. The Sept.

September event taking place all over Whistler

"It’s the most fun you can have in Whistler without snow!"

So says David Malboeuf, executive producer of the first annual Whistler Comedy Festival. The Sept. 5-9 event is the first of its kind in the resort and will be packed full of some of the best entertainers from North America.

"I can’t believe there hasn’t already been something like this in Whistler," exclaims Malboeuf, a returning visitor to the area since 1992.

Along with partner Eric Baird, the Toronto businessmen’s plan is to have laughter ringing off the mountains… and higher! Part of the festivities will include Comedy in the Sky, an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest live comedy show at the highest altitude – 6,069 feet to be exact. The Roundhouse Lodge will house all the comedians from the festival, who will each perform a 7-10 minute set. Comedy in the Sky is scheduled for Saturday the 8th, 1-3pm. It will be an afternoon event to attract as many participants as possible and will be packaged to include a gondola ticket, lunch and the performance.

Other lofty goals for the five days of fun will include selling out the Opening Gala at the conference centre. It shouldn’t be difficult when he’s promising a well-known MC along with a headliner and seven supporting acts for the night, and all at an affordable "locals’ rate." Tourism Whistler will also be packaging the night with hotel accommodation for visitors.

Millennium Place will be the main stage for the week, including the closing gala and the Blockbuster Comedy Movie Marathon, a showcase of classic flicks to tickle your funny bone. You can take in a different movie each afternoon and night at Millennium Place or the Rainbow Theatre for just four bucks, and all the proceeds will go to a local charity.

"That’s less than the cost of renting a movie," adds Malboeuf.

The Cinnamon Bear, The Crab Shack and Crystal Lounge have been confirmed as venues for the week. And you can make a full night of it at several of those shows, where dinner will be an option with the performance. And you’ll be guaranteed your money’s worth, as each night will spotlight at least but at least four and sometimes six or seven comics!

"We decided to go into the resort hotel bars that hold about 125-140 people, which is really how comedy is best viewed - intimately," Malboeuf says.

Golfers will also be invited to be part of the action as the Whistler Golf Course hosts Tee Off with a Joker. Celebrities will be teamed up with three local golfers for a morning of holes and hilarity.

The complete lineup and schedule will be confirmed when tickets go on sale in about two weeks.